SPCC to root out the ruling SDF

Gangtok, Mar 22 (UNI) Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) president Nar Bahadur Bhandari today described the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front(SDF) government as an "enemy" of the state.

Addressing a press conference here, the former Chief Minister said, " We will expose various misdeeds of the government and root it out from the state. " The senior Congress leader alleged that the crime rate showed an increasing trend and the number of people living below poverty line had risen manifold due to the tardy implmentation of varius poverty allevation schemes during the reign of the present government..

The "anti-people" initiatives like the hike in power tariff and imposition of tax on petroleum products had " hit the poor people of the state below their belt, " he said.

" The state is heading towards doom due to financial mismanagement and corruption. The government is extending the benefits of BPL facilities without a proper list and discriminating the Congress supporters in alloting work under the employment guarantee scheme, " he added.

Mr Bhandari said he would take up the matter with the party high command and urge them to send a senior party official for an on-the- spot assessment.

The former Chief Minister lambasted Mr Pawan Chamling for the ongoing European tour, saying it was not in the interest of the state.

He also took exception to the Chief Minister's reported discussion with a foreign dignitary to find investor partner for the development of Panchayats in the state.

He said on the direction of the party high command an eleven- member team, led by him, is leaving for Assam on March 25 to campaign for the party.

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